Brian Caffarey - 26th December 2015

Woking v Boreham Wood
Vanarama National League
3pm on Monday 28 December 2015

The Cards got off to a great start to their holiday programme with a 1-0 win at Aldershot Town this afternoon, lifting them to only five points short of the play-offs after their sixth win in their last seven games. Their opponents on Monday, Boreham Wood, also won and are sure to provide a tough test for Garry Hill’s side. Come on down to the Laithwaite Community Stadium to cheer on the Cards!

WOKING

John Goddard’s first half goal this afternoon, his twelfth of the season, secured a second successive win for the Cards at the Rec, bucking the historical trend between the two clubs. How nice it would be to do the double over our neighbours in a week’s time! But the Cards need to put those thoughts aside and focus on beating the Wood on Monday.

After an injury-hit first half of the season Garry Hill has had the benefit in recent games of being able to field a settled side. He’s also had the luxury of being able to bring on, as substitutes, Keiran Murtagh, returning from injury, and Gez Sole, back from his loan spell at Basingstoke Town, and Chris Arthur.

BOREHAM WOOD

The Wood have a number of talented players in their squad and it is perhaps surprising that they have found themselves slipping into the bottom four in recent weeks. Their 1-0 win today at home to Braintree Town lifted them above Welling United into 20th place.

Keeper James Russell pulled off some terrific saves in the recent FA Trophy tie (see below); the defence, including the experienced David Stephens and Scott Doe, looked very solid, especially in the air; and the midfield is particularly strong, with Conor Clifford and Clovis Kamdjo patrolling the central midfield and Anthony Jeffrey (scorer today) and Mauro Vilhete providing pace and trickery on the wings. If the Wood have a weakness, though, it is in failing to score enough goals, with only 24 scored in 26 games. But, to illustrate their defensive strengths, they have conceded only 30: four fewer than Woking.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £18
Over 65s and Students with NUS card £13
U16s £5

NEW YEAR RAFFLE

Please support the Cards Trust’s New Year Raffle, with tickets at £1 and a first prize of £1,000 and more than 50 other prizes. The raffle is aimed at raising money to help offset the medical costs incurred by the Club as a result of all the injuries sustained this season. The draw will take place at half-time at the game against Aldershot Town on 2 January. Money and stubs have to be returned to the Club Shop by 31 December.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Another packed 64-page matchday programme includes reflections on a topsy-turvy season so far and a celebration of all the Christmas festivities which have taken place around the Club. In addition, there’s a summary of what’s been going on at other National League clubs; and news from the Club Board and the Cards Trust, plus match previews, reports and the usual superb match action photos. Great value at only £3!

LAST TIME WE MET

Boreham Wood 1 Woking 2
FA Trophy 1st Round
12 December 2015

The Cards were perhaps a bit fortunate to be spared a replay in this recent Trophy First Round tie. The Wood had the better of the first half, with Conor Clifford and Clovis Kamdjo particularly influential in midfield, and looked good value at half-time for the 1-0 lead given to them in the 8th minute by the powerful Mustafa Tiryaki, who had fired through a group of players after the Cards had failed to clear a corner.

But, much to Garry Hill’s delight, the Cards fought back in the second half, equalising with a superbly-taken back-post volley from Brian Saah before substitute Gez Sole scored the winner with a wickedly-deflected free-kick in added time. Jake Cole, though, had to pull off a tremendous save before the end to preserve the Cards’ lead.

No Woking fan will want to miss the return leg of the Christmas/New Year ‘double’ against the Shots. So, make sure you’ve got 3pm on Saturday 2 January 2016 firmly in your new diary! Round up family and friends too for a great afternoon out at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.